Staff
Meet the First ARP Team!
The Pastors
Matthew Kuiken
Associate Pastor
Matt Kuiken came to First ARP Church in June of 2010 after graduating from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Matt is a native of the Garden State, where he grew up with six brothers and sisters, while his dad served as a pastor of the Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church. Matt loves the Steelers, the ocean, Carolina weather and hanging out with Eddie Spencer. Matt is a graduate of Geneva College where he met Sabrina his beautiful wife of seven years. The Kuikens were blessed with a sweet new daughter, Cora, soon after they came to Gastonia. They also have an accomplished racing dachshund named Bandit. Matt’s passion is to make known the Gospel of Grace to all people and to see God’s grace transform lives. Contact Matt
Children’s Ministry
Rebecca Maney
Director
Rebecca has been a member of First ARP since 1980. She is now serving on the staff for a second time. A graduate of Bryan College, Dayton, Tennessee; she majored in Christian Education. The first nineteen years of ministry were focused on Christian Education. After returning to our staff in January 2005, she now concentrates on Children’s Ministry (Birth-5th grade). She is married with 2 children. Contact Rebecca
Leslie Farrar
Assistant Director
Leslie has been on staff for 10 years. She is married with two sons. Leslie joined First ARP church in November 1990. For nine years she served in a lay capacity with the nursery ministry. Contact Leslie
Congregational Nurse
Donna Tyree
Nurse
Donna and her husband came to First ARP in 2007, and she joined the staff in March, 2012. Her father was a pastor and her parents were missionaries to China before she was born. She earned her B.S. in Nursing at the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration at Western Michigan University. Donna has been a nurse for more than 30 years and continues to work part time at Gaston Memorial as a Nurse Navigator for cancer patients. Her role at First ARP is to assist the Pastors with calls and visits to the sick, bereaved, and those in crisis. Her deep desire is to come alongside others and guide them to see the sufficiency of Christ in all circumstances. Donna and Glenn have two sons and four grandchildren, and she enjoys travel, cooking, and reading. Contact Donna
Music Ministry
Dr. Heather Potter
Director of Music
Heather Potter serves as the Director of Music with emphasis in Youth and Children’s Music. She is also an Associate Conductor of the Charlotte Children’s Choir. Dr. Potter frequently conducts treble ensembles for music conferences and festival choirs and presents children’s choir training workshops. She has a special interest in helping children and youth realize the importance of their role as worship leaders through choral participation. Contact Heather
Dr. Kenney Potter
Director of Adult Choirs
Kenney Potter directs the adult choirs at First ARP. He is also Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at Wingate University. Kenney holds degrees in music education from Florida State University and Portland State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Kenney brings a passion for musical excellence to our worship. Contact Kenny
Justin Bumgardner
Director of Early Service Music
BIO COMING SOON
Family Ministry
Tom Williamsom
Director
Tom is our counselor at First ARP. After serving in the business world for many years Tom attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS and received his Masters in Counseling. Since then Tom has used his gift of counseling in a number of different capacities. He now uses his extensive counseling experience to help members of First ARP and the surrounding community. Tom continues to be a critical asset to our ministry at First ARP. Tom and his wife Tari live here in Gastonia. Contact Tom
Youth Ministry
Courtney Butler McKeown
Director
Courtney has been in Youth Ministry a total of six years, the last three of those have been at First ARP Church. The youth vision verse is Acts 20:24, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Courtney has a heart to see youth transformed by the grace of God by making Him their greatest treasure and joy. We seek to bear lasting fruit by abiding in Jesus through loving others, teaching, discipling, serving, and witnessing. The youth ministry at ARP seeks to proclaim God’s glory, make and equip disciples, and be His presence to all peoples in all circumstances. Courtney is married to Trey, who is also in Youth Ministry, and they reside in Gastonia. Contact Courtney
Jon Oliphant
Director
Jon joined the staff of First ARP Church in June, 2012 after graduating from Erskine College. He is a native of Greenville, SC where his parents and brother and sister-in-law currently reside. Jon enjoys sports, being outside in God’s beautiful creation, reading, and talking with people. Jon’s passion is to see students confronted with and changed by the Gospel of God’s grace and transformed into lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.
Covenant Community Preschool
Lynda Williams
Director
Lynda joined the staff January 2011 as the Director of Covenant Community School, an outreach ministry of First ARP Church. The school serves children ages 2, 3 and 4 years of age and their families. Our goal is to enhance people’s lives, share with them God’s hope and love, and improve our community for His glory. Early Childhood Education is the foundation on which all future educational opportunities are built. Covenant Community School offers high quality, developmentally appropriate, Christ Centered education. Lynda has over 10 years early childhood education ministry experience. She received a business degree from Winthrop University, an Education Degree from Belmont Abbey and an Administration and Childcare certificate from Gaston College. She is a member of NAEYC and the Early Childhood Professionals of Gaston and Lincoln Counties. She is married with two daughters. Contact Lynda
Administrative Staff
Tammy Baker
Financial Administrator
Tammy began working with First ARP in January 2007. She received her B.A. in Accounting thru VCU – Richmond, VA. She handles all aspects of First ARP financial operations with assistance from the lay Treasurer ministry of First ARP. In addition to her responsibilities with the main campus she also helps manage the accounting operation with Gaston Community Church (our mission church). She considers it an honor and privilege to serve the Lord thru her responsibilities to the monetary matters of Kingdom work. She is married with one son and daughter-in law. Both her husband and son serve as pastors. Contact Tammy
Wanda Henderson
office administrator
Wanda joined our staff in January 2001. She prepares our bulletins and newsletters, maintains membership records, as well as many other office functions. Wanda is married to Kenneth Henderson. They are members of Parkwood Baptist Church. Contact Wanda
Wade Huss
Facilities Administrator
Wade oversees our church facilities and handles all requests for facilities use. He is a native of Gastonia, as is his wife of forty-five years, the former Sherry Rudisill. Wade and Sherry have three children, Page (Taichung, Taiwan, ROC), Will (Clemson, SC) and Elizabeth (Athens, Ga.). They have been blessed with eleven grandchildren. Wade is a graduate of The Citadel, a retired US Army Captain and a retired VP of WIX Filtration (Global Business Development and Global Purchasing). He is an Elder at First ARP.
Nancy Peeler
Lay Ministries Administrator
Nancy is a 30 year veteran of the First ARP staff. She transitioned from the financial office to Lay Ministries Administrator. January 2007. Through her leadership she coordinates our church membership into the many lay ministry opportunities at First ARP. She also works with the pastor to establish new ministries. Nancy is has been married for forty-seven years, has one son and two grandchildren. She is a member at Victory Hill Baptist Church. Contact Nancy
Carrie Curtis
Women’s Ministries Liason
Carrie and her husband Craig joined First ARP in 2001. They have a son, Bryce and twin daughter’s, Jessica and Abbey. A graduate of Mars Hill College, Carrie holds a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine. She is an active leader of the Generations Sunday School class. And, along with her support role in Women’s Ministry, she organizes the youth sports program at First ARP. Contact Carrie
Jean Stewart
Staff Support
Jean has been a member of First ARP Church since 1950. Besides assisting the staff, she provides general aesthetical oversight for the property through ministries that she leads. She serves as Interior Design chairman, Knit One, Pray One Ministry, Birthday Card, Library, and History Ministries. Contact Jean
Michael Watson
Facilities Maintenance
“Hi, I’m Michael Watson. God has blessed me in being at First ARP for several years now. I am married to Sandra Watson and I have two adult children. I worship at Partakers of Christ Church in Gastonia where as I serve as a deacon and trustee. I enjoy Panthers Football and also drive a bus for Gaston County School District. I love the Lord and enjoy serving him at First ARP” Contact Michael